A/N: I'm back! With a new story, too! I'm gonna delete Separation, considering that I've come to hate it. For those of you awaiting the next chapter of Cherries and Pears, it'll be up soon, I promise. Now, on with Virtual Reality!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone – except Cole and Kojo! I do own them!

Virtual Reality – Chapter 1

"Come on, Mom! Please?" Yumi asked. It was Saturday, and the Lyoko gang was attempting to bring Aelita out of Lyoko.

"Why can't this pen pal of yours just live at Kadics?" Mrs. Ishiyama questioned, turning to face Yumi.

"She wouldn't know anyone there! She's from Japan, she can't just stay somewhere new after I offered our home! I promised her!" Yumi pleaded.

"Why would you offer to let her stay in our home without our permission?" Mr. Ishiyama interrogated.

"Daddy, please! This is really important to me!" Yumi was near desperation.

"Fine, fine! Just quit whining!" Mrs. Ishiyama caved in. Yumi threw her arms around both her parents.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You guys are the best!" with that, Yumi bounded out the door.

"Good morning, Yumi!" Jeremie greeted Yumi as she entered the laboratory. Yumi nodded in response.

"What's the mission today?" Yumi asked, peering over Jeremie's shoulder at the computer screen.

"Number 1: defeat XANA and his five mega-tanks."

"Ouch."

"Number 2: get Aelita out of Lyoko. Did you get your parents' permission?"

"Yup."

"Great. Number 3: shut down Lyoko."

"Cool… wait, did you say five mega-tanks?"

"Yeah, the scanners are all ready."

Yumi rushed to the elevator and made her way into one of the scanners. Jeremie transferred Yumi into Lyoko through the usually virtualization process, and then directed her to the group. When she reached her three other friends, they all greeted her in relief and exhaustion as they ran toward the tower, trying to avoid the blasts of the five mega-tanks.

Yumi flung her fan at one of the mega-tanks, hitting it right in the bull's eye. The mega-tank exploded, also killing the one nearby it. Ulrich plunged his sword deep into the bull's eye of another mega-tank, making it explode, but also accidentally losing his life points in the explosion. Odd shot several laser arrows at the remaining two, making those also explode. Aelita made her way through the infected tower and typed in the code. A bright white light swept throughout France, signaling that the gang had succeeded.

The anticipating gang waited excitedly as Aelita became devirtualized. As Aelita emerged from her scanner, the group cheered. Yumi blissfully threw her arms around Ulrich's neck, pulling him into a tight hug as he hugged her back. Jeremie kneeled down at the base of the scanner and gazed at Aelita, his eyes glistening with joyful tears. Odd danced around the scanner room, singing and whooping as the others laughed.

"We did it," Jeremie whispered, unable to believe what had just happened. "We devirtualized Aelita!"

"Now lets go shut down Lyoko and officially beat XANA!" Odd shouted.

The group happily went to the mainframe of the factory and made their way to the base of Lyoko.

"Would you like to do the honors, Aelita?" Jeremie offered. Aelita grinned confidently.

"Sure. On the count of three," Aelita approached the base and wrapped her delicate fingers around the switch.

"One…" the gang counted, "two… three!"

Aelita pulled the switch. The gang watched exhilaratingly as all light and power drained from the base. When the turn-off was complete, the gang stayed silent for several moments. Then they began cheering, dancing, jumping, twirling, and exhibiting all other signs of total happiness.

"We did it! We defeated XANA!"

A/N: Well, how is it so far? Forgive me, I'm horrible at fight scenes unless it's hand-to-hand combat or a simple argument. The next chapter will be up soon.